In Sai’s Proximity

–        Mrs. Mugdha Divadkar

NARAYAN MOTIRAM JANI

(RANADE)

Shri Jani was an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba. He belonged to Audichya Brahmin caste and resided at Nasik.

When Baba was Dehachari, Narayanrao was fortunate to avail His Darshan on two occasions. However, the third opportunity of Darshan eluded him even though 3 years passed after Baba’s Samadhi.

Besides having the good fortune to have Satsang of Shri Sai Baba, Jani was also fortunate to have Satsang of holy persons like Shri Gadge Baba, Shri Valli Baba (Patta Shishya of Shri Madhavnath Maharaj of Indore). These people had even resided in his house. However, he became a staunch devotee of Sai Baba.

When he first came to avail Baba’s Darshan, he was serving in the employment of Ramchandra Waman Modak. However, in the first meeting itself, Baba spontaneously uttered, “Don’t be bound to somebody’s orders. Start your own business !” And, accordingly, the future events took place. Jani gave up his job and started an eatery and hostel by the name ‘ANANDASHRAM’ at Nasik. With his efforts, it became a well-known establishment. Due to this chain of events, his faith in Baba increased and he became a steadfast follower of Baba.

With Baba’s blessings, ‘ANANDASHRAM’ did well. Jani family had a large number of servants in their house and owned even a horse cart. They also rendered service by providing food and shelter through their eatery and hostel to people who visited Nasik.

However, Narayanrao died an untimely death. At that time, his children were young and could not run the eatery and hostel any longer. The family faced difficult times. In the same city of Nasik where it had served food and shelter to thousands of persons, the family had to go without food on many days. As the wealth disappeared, so did the friends and relatives.

Narayanrao’s wife decided to leave Nasik and to move to saint Dhuni Dada’s place near Khandwa. She collected her meager belongings and left Nasik. However, on the way, many of her belongings go stolen.

On reaching Khandwa, the poor lady availed Darshan of saint Dhuni Daba and narrated her sad story.  He arranged for her bare necessities such as food and shelter and the lady managed her survival in the Dharma-shala.

Her paternal cousin was working in a mill at Chalisgaon. Coincidentally, he came for Dhuni Daba’s Darshan. On seeing her brother, she tried to avoid coming face to face.

Her brother took Darshan and was just going to place Dakshina in front of Dhuni Daba, when he roared, ‘‘Don’t give Dakshina to me. In that corner, a lady is sitting with her kids. Buy tickets for Nasik and give to her ! Send them back to Nasik. Because, they are fortunate to be blessed by Shri Sai Baba.”

Thus, the shower of blessings was evident to the family even during their difficult times. Narayanrao’s wife was at peace now. The financial circumstances had not changed; but her mental condition had improved. Now, she had gained the courage to face the perils of life. She had full conviction that her Sadguru was with her.

The days passed and one day Narayanrao’s wife moved her family from Nasik to Pune. She located a place at Babu Genu Chowk in Pune. She found some work – at some places as a cook, at some places as a Nurse – and started earning some money.

(contd.)

– Translated from original Marathi into

English by Sudhir

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